Abstract: A method is provided for enabling gameplay with a character in a game environment on a mobile device. In the game environment, a player can play a game via a character. When there is an expectation of action from the character in the game, a touch gesture input is received on the mobile device. The fidelity of the touch gesture input is calculated with reference to an optimal gesture in a reference gesture table. If the fidelity is within a predefined range associated with the optimal gesture, the touch gesture input is matched to the optimal gesture and an associated game script is called wherein the character would be shown as having successfully completed the expectation.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting a body part in a video stream from a mobile device. A video stream of a human subject is received from a camera connected to the mobile device. The video stream has frames. A first frame of the video stream is identified for processing. This first frame is then partitioned into observation windows, each observation window having pixels. In each observation window, non-skin-toned pixels are eliminated; and the remaining pixels are compared to determine a degree of entropy of the pixels in the observation window. In any observation window having a degree of entropy above a predetermined threshold, a bounded area is made around the region of high entropy pixels. The consistency of the entropy is analyzed in the bounded area. If the bounded area has inconsistently high entropy, a body part is determined to be detected at that bounded area.

Abstract: A method is provided for enabling virtual gameplay. A game environment is provided in which a player can play a game via a character. When the player scans a barcode from a real world object, a virtual object is retrieved based on the barcode input. The player's character can then own or interact with the virtual object in the game environment.

Abstract: A method is provided for enabling user interaction with virtual objects in a virtual world using a touchscreen device. A touch input within or across a region of the display is detected from the touchscreen device. After determining that the touch input exceeds a predetermined threshold, and further determining whether the touch input is of a single touch or multi-touch type based on a number of contacts detected in the touch input, a multi-touch type input is interpreted as a multi-touch attract or repel command with respect to a virtual object displayed on the display. The virtual object is then visibly moved or changed on the display in response.

Abstract: A method is provided for trading virtual goods. A game environment is provided in which a first player can acquire or develop a virtual good. This virtual good has a starting value. At least one rating of the virtual good is received from a second player via the game environment. The starting value is automatically increased or decreased as a function of the at least one rating of the virtual good. The virtual good is then made available for purchase at the new value. A system for trading virtual goods is also provided.

Abstract: Interactive multiplayer augmented reality game play is enhanced in a mobile device used in such game play by establishing a virtual world coordinate system based on one or more game conventions and by reducing device sensor error before, during or after game play using one or more such game conventions.

Abstract: A method is provided for enabling virtual gameplay with a character in a game environment. A game environment is provided in which a player can play a game via a character. The player's geographic location is detected and stored. In response to the detected geographic location, a storyline is retrieved for the character to interact with. The retrieved storyline is related to the geographic location of the player.

Abstract: A peripheral electronic device includes a health check application configured to execute automatically upon connection of the peripheral device to a data source, such as a personal computer. The health check application can diagnose problems and if necessary, repair the problems with the peripheral device, the data source, or both. Examples of problems include corrupted data and indications of software, firmware, and hardware failures or impending failures. In some instances, the health check application can provide a warning of an impending failure. The health check application, after initially executing, can be triggered in various ways to scan again for problems. In addition to finding and repairing problems, the health check application can also attend to maintenance.

Abstract: A data backup system is provided for backing up data files from a data source and for securing those data files against accidental modification or deletion. The system comprises storage and a data protection component that includes an application programming interface defining a command set. The system can also comprise a backup application that is configured to use the commands of the command set. The data protection component allows applications that use the commands of the command set, such as the backup application, to access the storage of the system. The data protection component prevents operating systems and applications that do not use the commands of the command set from accessing the storage. The data protection function of the data protection component can optionally be disabled to allow open access to the storage.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of providing virtual gameplay with a virtual character in a game environment. A character customization facility is provided within the game environment in which a player can set or select starting attributes for a virtual character, and set or select a graphical avatar of the virtual character. Related gameplay statistics and accumulated gameplay property are stored for the virtual character. The player selects which elements of the starting attributes, the graphical avatar, the gameplay statistics and the gameplay property should be signature elements transferrable with the virtual character beyond the first game in the game environment. Supported signature elements are carried over to a second game.

Abstract: A method is provided of virtual gameplay with linked characters in a game environment. In an interactive game environment, a request is received to link a first player character with a second character. If it is determined that the first player character is qualified to be linked with the second character, a link is created between the first player character and the second character. The actions of the linked characters are then monitored in the game environment, and statistics are stored for at least the first player character. At least one statistic of the second character can be automatically increased or decreased as a function of at least one of the stored statistics.

Abstract: A method is described to restore backed-up data to a data source such that the data are automatically defragmented. Defragmentation is accomplished during the restore operation by identifying data blocks belonging to discrete data files and copying those data blocks to the target data source such that all data blocks for any given file are written to contiguous sectors on the target data source.

Abstract: A motion driven user interface for a mobile device is described which provides a user with the ability to cause execution of user interface input commands by physically moving the mobile device in space. The mobile device uses embedded sensors to identify its motion which causes execution of a corresponding user interface input command. Further, the command to be executed can vary depending upon the operating context of the mobile device.

Abstract: A motion-driven user interface for mobile device-based augmented reality applications is described which provides a user with the ability to execute user interface input commands by physically manipulating the mobile device in space. The mobile device uses embedded sensors to identify the type and extent of the manipulation which cause execution of a corresponding user interface input command which can vary depending upon the operating context of the mobile device.

Abstract: Interactive multiplayer augmented reality game play is enhanced in a mobile device used in such game play by establishing a virtual world coordinate system based on one or more game conventions and by reducing device sensor error before, during or after game play using one or more such game conventions.

Abstract: A portable data map of a data source is created using metadata obtained from the data source. The created data map represents the entire data set of the data source and can be carried on a mobile device without having to carry the entire data set and thus requiring much less storage space. A user of the mobile device can navigate this data map and view the file/folder hierarchy of the data source even when the mobile device is off line or not currently in communication with the data source. Once a user has made a selection the actual file(s) can be downloaded to the mobile device.

Abstract: A data backup system is provided that when coupled to a data source, such as a personal computer, and a media player, such an Apple Computer IPod media player, the data backup system blocks certain communications between the data source and the media player thus preventing the data source from recognizing the media player as such thereby avoiding the launching of synchronization software for the media player, the data backup system also causing the automatic launching of a backup application stored on the data backup system so that data files can be located on the data source and then backed up to the media player.

Abstract: A software application is provided for a user to select a backed up data file and specify a task to be performed by an online service provider on the selected file. The application automatically connects to the online service provider and uploads the selected file for the online service provider to perform the task. Tasks that can be performed include printing, sharing, viewing, playing and archiving the selected file. Task preferences, user settings and user information can also be specified by the user and uploaded to the online service provider. Automatic connection to the online service provider can be via default setting, selected file type, or specified task. Alternatively, the user can designate which service provider is to perform the task. Payment for the task can be accomplished via bundled credits or by other payment mechanisms.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for automatically backing up one or more computers to a wireless backup device either across a pre-existing wireless network if one is in use by the one or more computers or across a newly formed wireless network if a pre-existing wireless network is not in use by the one or more computers. The backup operation is performed by a software application provided by the wireless backup device which application can be launched, installed and configured on the one or more computers automatically and without user input via an initial hardwired connection between the wireless backup device and the one or more computers.

Abstract: Automatically backing up one or more computers across a network to a backup device coupled to the network through one of the computers connected to the network. In one embodiment, a user connects the backup device to a first network connected computer which triggers the launch, installation, setup and configuration of the associated software on the first computer thereby performing a backup operation of data from the first computer to the backup device. The user then connects the backup device to a second network connected computer which triggers the launch, installation, setup and configuration of the associated software on the second computer thereby performing a backup operation of data from the second computer to the backup device. Furthermore, the associated software installed on the second computer triggers communication with and a backup of data from the first computer across the network through the second computer to the backup device.